"There were temptations of his youth," he said with difficulty, "from which the Faith rescued him. Now these same temptations have torn him from the faith. It has been all known to me from first to last. I see no hope. Let us never speak of him again." "No," she said trembling. He drew a long breath. Suddenly he knelt beside her. "And you!" he said in a low voice--"you! What love--what sweetness--shall be enough for you! Oh! my Laura, when I think of what you have done to-night--of all that it means, all that it promises--I humble myself before you. I envy and bless you. Yours has been no light struggle--no small sacrifice. I can only marvel at it. Dear, the Church will draw you so softly--teach you so tenderly! You have never known a mother. Our Lady will be your Mother. You have had few friends--they will be given to you in all times and countries--and this will you are surrendering will come back to you strengthened a thousand-fold for my support--and your own." He looked at her with emotion. Oh! how pale she had grown under these words of benediction. There was a moment's silence--then she rose feebly. "Now--let me go! To-morrow--will you tell Augustina? Or to-night, if she were awake, and strong enough? How can one be sure--?" "Let us come and see." He took her hand, and they moved a few steps across the room, when they were startled by the thunder of the storm upon the windows. They stopped involuntarily. Laura's face lit up. "How the river roars! I love it so. Yesterday I was on the top of the otter cliff when it was coming down in a torrent! To-morrow it will be superb." "I wish you wouldn't go there till I have had some fencing done," said Helbeck with decision. "The rain has loosened the moss and made it all slippery and unsafe. I saw some people gathering primroses there to-day, and I told Murphy to warn them off. We must put a railing----" Laura turned her face to the hall. "What was that?" she said, catching his arm. A sudden cry--loud and piercing--from the stairs. "Mr. Helbeck--Miss Fountain!" They rushed into the hall. Sister Rosa ran towards them. "Oh! Mr. Helbeck--come at once--Mrs. Fountain----" * * * * * Augustina still sat propped in her large chair by the fire. But a nurse looked up with a scared face as they entered. "Oh come--_come_--Mr. Helbeck! She is just going." Laura threw herself on her knees beside her stepmother. Helbeck gave one look at his sister, then also kneeling he took her cold and helpless hand, and said in a steady voice-- "Receive thy servant, O Lord, into the place of salvation, which she hopes from Thy mercy." The two nurses, sobbing, said the "Amen." "Deliver, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant from all the perils of hell, from pains and all tribulations." "Amen." Mrs. Fountain's head fell gently back upon the cushions. The eyes withdrew themselves in the manner that only death knows, the lids dropped partially.